Delayed scrutiny: 25% election petitions disposed by Oct 31

Election watchdog says 14 election tribunals have decided only 95 out of 373 cases till Oct 31.

ISLAMABAD:

Only one-fourth of the petitions filed before election tribunals have been disposed of by October 31, according to the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

In a news release issued on Sunday, the election watchdog said the fourteen election tribunals established across the country have decided only 95 out of the 373 cases till October 31. At least 18 petitions have completed legally stipulated time of 120 days awaiting a decision and more petitions can go beyond the period for a decision, it stated.

“As many as 996 adjournments of more than seven days have been recorded, whereas election laws urge tribunals to hear petitions on day to day basis and do not allow an adjournment for more than seven days,” FAFEN said.

According to the watchdog, the election commission received 406 petitions of which 16 were dismissed during the scrutiny and 373 were referred to tribunals.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2013.